Diary, 1786-1799

1799, January, 1, Tuesday, Cloudy, a little rain and sleet, quite mild for the Season. I pointed out to Malachi Atkins where I want to tend Corn the present year. Reuben Taylor called here before noon and went on to #Robert Taylor's, about Land business &c. * J. Gibson Taylor & Jamey Pendleton called & warmed, they had been hunting, saw J. Taylor jr pass by afterwards- Gave Sary Baby cloaths to make. [# Robert, son of Erasmus & 1st cousin of Diarist-WKA] [*John Gibson, son of James, the Clerk, and Ann (Pendleton) Taylor and nephew of Diarist; married Elizabeth Lee Taylor, dau. of Col. Rich'd & Sarah (Strother) Taylor and sister of President - Gen. Zachary Taylor- WKA] 2, Thin Clouds and moderate. Sent a Bar 37 lb Iron, by M. Atkins, to J. McNeil's to get 2 Narrow axes made- to get some Steel of Reuban Taylor's at Shop. Reuben Taylor came here- I wrote a letter for him to J. Barbour jr inclosing two plats of Land surveyed in this County for him & one for me- Also papers about Reuben Taylor's entering a Caveat against N. Bickers for one his plats After dinner I rode to Court house with R. Taylor. I bought a Loaf Sugar & Iron pot of Hackley, got Newspapers &c. 3, Snowed briskly in morning. Cloudy evening, the snow about an inch deep. the 5th this winter. I staid at home. 4, Cold night. Thin clouds all day, the snow has not melted much. Sent Peter with old Axes to J. McNeils, to get laid, who sent word that he wou'd do it next tuesday. Wm Bell sent Davy with a Note asking the loan of 4 bottles Port wine, which I delivered to Davy. Began to Fence for Cornfield. 5, Very hard frost, cold cloudy morning, began to Snow about 1 o'clock & continued till night. Cow had a calf. 1 Ewe had a Lamb. I staid at home. 6, Sunday. Snowed most of last night, cleared befor day, Severe cold- Snow 9 or 10 inches deep. Very clear & freezing. I took a dose Salts yesterday & another to day- had Headache bad yesterday, better to day. Very cold I staid at home. 7, Very hard frost, Fair cold morning, Hazy afternoon & not quite so severe cold. I have been very unwell for three days past, took Salts two last days- took 15 Grs. Ipecac & 25 Jallap to day- which operated & made me very sick, but got better toward night. J. Taylor came here before noon, said J. Pendleton intended to dine here, but as I was unwell, he returned. J. Pendleton had been to Court house & when he came, soon went away to J. Taylor's. I was too unwell to have satisfaction in Company. 8, Sharp frost, Turned cloudy & moderate in evening, thawed a little. A little rain & hail after dark. I walked to J. Taylor's. Thomas Crutchfield was married to*Nancy Taylor- A large company at the wedding- I staid till after supper. +Col. James Barbour, #Thomas Barbour- John Pendleton and James Taylor jr came home with me. Malachi Atkins had ½ Barrel Corn sent to mill. I sent 3 bushels & got meal at McKinney's mill. Malachi Atkins went to James McNeils and got 1 new ax & had ____Laid or upset- J. McNeil told him he made use of 2 3/4 lb of Reu Taylor's Steel in my work. * "Nancy," was Ann P. Taylor, dau of Janes and niece of Diarist. + Col. James Barbour was father of #Thos.Barbour, who m. Mary, dau. of James Taylor, the Clerk, and niece of the Diarist. I think he was also father of the Philip Barbour, who married Lucy Taylor, dau. of Commodore Richard Taylor. (This is correct PFT) - John Pendleton, m. Elizabeth, Taylor, dau. of James the Clerk.-WKA PFT-] 9, Wednesday, Cloudy and thawed a good deal, no rain since morning. the snow very wet, but ground not soft-below surface- A negro boy(Sam) of Charles Taylor's was here yesterday with a dog- the dog killed one of my sheep- I sent M. Atkins to C. Taylor's to inform him, and he had the dog killed. The gentlemen who came home with me last night( and I with them) went to J. Taylor's to breakfast- A large company was there again to day- much dancing yesterday & to day- I staid till supper.

1799, January, 10, Fair (except flying clouds) very mild,great part of the snow dissolved. Had the Pork hung up that I killed 4, Dec'r last, 23 hogs. William Bell sent the same wine he borrowed the 4th instant by Davy- Davy got 2 Gammons old Bacon, 18 lb for his master & paid for it at /13=22/6. 11, Did not freeze. Fair and very mild. I went to C. Taylor's- J. Taylor & family, J. Taylor jr & do- John Pendleton & do. T. Crutchfield & wife, Minor Herndon, Stapleton Crutchfield, Rob't Cruthfield, Ben Ellis, R'd Noel & wife, John Taylor, C.P. Howard, Reuben Smith, Dr. Tho's Barbour, Nelly Barbour, Polly Glassell, dined there. I staid to supper as did most of the Company. Sow that eats lambs had 7 pigs. 12, Saturday, Continues very warm. Fog clouds in morning, Soon cleared, some clouds in evening. I dined at home. Walked in evening to J. Taylor's, J. Pendleton & family, James Taylor jr & do, T. Crutchfield & wife, Dr. T. Barbour & sister Nelly, John Minor Herndon, Robert Crutchfield, Ben Ellis, Salley & Betsy Taylor were there. Tom Barbour & Rob't Crutcfield went away. I staid at hone- Sent Frank 13, [SUNDAY] Warm-Foggy morn, misty day, rain at night. I staid at home- Sent Frank with Letter for Reuben Taylor,which I got at J. Taylor's and suppose contains the Papers sent to Capt James p/r post at Richmond. 14, Foggy and cloudy, without rain, warm. J. Taylor, J Taylor jr, John Pendleton, Thomas Crutchfield, John Taylor & Reuben Taylor, dined here. Reu Taylor informed me Capt J. Barbour had returned his papers and carried my plats &c to Richmond. 15, A little Frost, fair and very mild weather. Joseph Clark's Edmund came to borrow a swingle tree & ask assistance to move his waggon,stalled by the Old School house- I lent a swingle & went with M.Atkins & with J. Taylor's oxen he got on his way to Fred'g- I staid at home to dinner- Hung the meat of hogs killed Last month for Bacon. 16, Wednesday. A little frost, Fair mild or warm day. I walked to Court house- got an Iron pot for one I bought the 2d instant of E.Hackley, paid diff'ce ¼ ½ , got 9 lb Steel & 1½ yds Shallon of do. I came back by Aunt Taylor's, John Taylor's child ill. Mr.John Howard still confined but mending- I also called at J. Taylor's- Mrs.Burnley & children, Mr. Crutchfield & wife, J. Pendleton's family there, I returned home to dinner- After dinner sent Frank with the pot that leaked to E. Hackley's, he brought the one I got to day in exhange, also part of Bar of blistered steel. Wm Bell sent a note by Catlett Madison & got 2 bottles wine, for his sister Madison. 17, Frost, mild fair day, not so warm as yesterday, some clouds in evening. I dined at home - After dinner I carried to C. Taylor's some books of G.C. Taylor's I borrowed and brought others back. Frank informed me brother James had been here while I was away. 18, Rainbow in morning, a little rain, cloudy mild day. I dined at home. 19, Saturday, Rained briskly in early part of last night, thick cloudy day. George said Wm Bell desired me to send him two pieces bacon. I sent a Gammon, 10½ lb 2 yrs old & a Shoulder 9 lb last year's. Davy had Leather &c to mend young Peter's shoes. I rode to Call'd Court on Matthew Hughes' negro man Horatio, for want of some propreity in his commitment, his trial was put off & he remanded to jail. Tho's Bell paid 3/- for ¼ Bus hemp seed last May. Wm Bell paid me 21/7- for the Bacon above.I came home between 3 & 4 o'clock to dinner. I paid A.Shepherd jr 6 dollars for a Barrel of Flour, whih he bought for me, and to give Fred's price, if more. 28, Jan'y, paid him a dollar more making 7 dol's in all. 20, Sunday, Cloudy last night, cleared before noon, fair mild day. I walked to C. Taylor (Frank said he was told to sk me), J. Taylor & family, including J. Taylor jr, Tho's Crutchfield & wives- John Pendleton & family dined there. 21, Ice and frost. Fair not cold for the season. I sent Frank with horse-cart and got the Barrel Flour A Shepherd jr bought for me. M. Atkins said his brother was to be at his house to-night and I let him have a bottle whisky.

1799, January, 22, Tuesday, Frost, Fair morn & cool, Thin clouds in afternoon and mild evening. J. Taylor sent & got my horses cart & carried the wheels of his (which are broke to Campbell to get repaired. I sent Frank & Martin with two bags corn and got ground at McKinney's mill. I was sent for about noon to go to J. Taylor's, I went over- Mrs Bell, Mrs Gambell, C. Taylor, Bailey Taylor, Salley Burnley, J. Pendleton & family, T. Crutchfield and wife, J. Taylor jr & wife, dined there. Betsy Taylor after dinner. I staid till after supper. 23, Cloudy and warm for season. Frank went to C. Taylor's & got him to draw a tooth Edmund Terrill called here with a petition to the Assembly for leave for him to build a Toll bridge at Barnett's ford. I signed it. After dinner I carried Cloth &c to Mrs Burnley's to get her make Jacket & pair breeches. Her family at home except Sally who is gone to Col.Madison's with J. Taylor jun'rs wife from Bro'r James's. George brought a Bar of Blistered Steel, about 12 lb from Court house, says Mr. D. Triplett sent it there for me. 24, Last night cloudy with rain & sleet, which continued to day- the ice hangs on trees, grass & c. Sary was delivered about 3 o'clock this morning of a male child- Aunt Taylor's Venus was w'th her. J. Taylor, J. Taylor jr, John Pendleton, C. Taylor, John Taylor & C.P. Howard dined here & staid till 10 o'clock at night. J. Taylor jr lodged here. morton Pannil came here to see C. Taylor, but would not stay to dinner. 25, Cloudy all day- the ice continued on the trees &c. J. Taylor jr went away before breakfast,said he instends going to Col. Madison's. Malachi Atkins carried 9 lb Blistered steel to J. McNeils shop, with old plows &c to have plows made and repaired- I sent Frank to Mrs Burnley's with Breeches &c to measure for new ones. 26, Rained last night- Cloudy and rainy:remarkably dark about 1 o'clock-& most of the day- moderate. 27, Rained much last night- ceased before noon, cool cloudy evening. I staid at home the weather being very damp & earth very wet. [SUNDAY] 28, Sharp frost, cold cloudy till evening, then clear. I rode Sorrill mare to Court. M.Hughes' negro Horatio we tried & condemned for a Rape on ___Webb. James McNeil gave me his Smith's acCo't- I paid him 7 dollars in part. James Barbour jr gave me a Rec't from the Reigster of Land Office for Plat 31 acres Land, he paid 1 dol'r 78 Dents, which I told him I wou'd repay next time we met- I paid And'w Shepherd jr & dollar more (making 7 dollars)for the Barrel Flour he bo't for me the 19th instant. i received 6 dollars of Wm Stewart in part of his acco't. 29, Cloudy morn with sprinkle of snow & cold. Fair mild evening. John Pendleton & J. Taylor jr went by with guns & Dogs but did not start any hares- They came with me to the house and dined & staid till night. J.G. Taylor & Jemmy Pendleton came here in evening. I sent 3 shirts for E. Pendleton to put on wrist bands. C. Taylor sent for 2 lb butter. I sent it tho' I have no more but a little potted & a little in plate. 30, Fair and moderate. I took a dose of Ipecac & Jallap for a vomiting & head-ach which was troublesome last night & morning, which gave me relief. 31, Thursday, Mild Fair morning, a little hazy in evening. Mrs Burnely sent a Jacket & pr breeches which she made for me. Reuban Taylor came here in evening on his way to a Ball at Wm. Bell's, I did not intend to it before he came but went with him- There was a large company. I staid all night playing at whist and did not come home till evening, 1 February. I lost 10/6 at whist. My Ewes has had 10 Lambs, 9 of them alive to day. Had in Feb'y 4, 4 alive 1st March. In March 3 or 7 Lambs, same number died, only 13 Living 31, March. 30 April same number, 28 Old Sheep, 13 Lambs.

1799, February, 1, warm and a little hazy. I sat up all night at a Ball at Wm Bell's-got home about sunset- Wm Bell wou'd not receive pay for my expenses but I intend to make him compensation- Paid him. 2, A little rain early this morning very mild- rainy at night. Had cabbage,cale, lettuce, radish & beet seeds sown in garden. Davy went to C. Taylor's & got a tooth drawn. I staid at home- M. Atkins went to settle his acco't w'th J. Morton and returned the 3d in evening. 3, Sunday. Heavy rain lat night, cleared before day, smart frost and ice- clear day- Snow on great mountains. I went to James Taylor's- J. Taylor jr & wife Tho's Crutchfield & wife dined there- J.Pendleton was gone to Culpeper, his family to T. Barbour's in Madison & expected to J. Taylor's this evening or tomorrow. I gave a Mem'dum to J. Taylor jr for him or Reu Taylor to get me sundry articles at Fredericksburg, they intend going tomorrow. Let J. Taylor jr have $4. to pay for things if he gets. 4, Sharp frost-Fair day,moderate-some Snow on G't Mountains I dined at home. G.C. Taylor came from J. Taylor's after dinner- Told me he wou'd dine with me tomorrow- he went to C. Taylor's. 5, Cloudy last night- Snowed about day very brisk for 3 or 4 hours- 2 or 3 inches Cont'd Cloudy & thawed some. J. Taylor, John Pendleton & G.C. Taylor dined here. Geo. Newman came from J.T. went to Office with him and returned to dinner. Malachi Atkins went to J. McNeils Shopp, but did not any work done. E. Pendleton sent 2 shirts she had put new wrist bands on, I sent 2 more the 6th which were sent home in evening. 6, Frost, but not very severe, a few clouds, but mostly fair. Great part of snow dissolved. I sent 2 bags Corn and get ground at McKinney's,sent 1/6 by Frank for which he got 2 Bushels bran. Patsy Leathers had been to J. Taylor's-called here whilst I was at dinner- She eat dinner & went home. 7, Sharp frost. Clear,not very hard weather. Sent to Wm Bell by Negro George an old Gammon 10¼ lb bacon& a Shoulder 9½ lb. Malachi Atkins Received out of New Cornhouse @ Hhds Corn,which with 5 Bushels he has had & about 2 Bushels will be 6 Barrels the provision, I agreed to find. got 2 Bus' the 9th. John Pendleton called here about sunset and got a Newspaper of J. Taylor's-(I got from Co't house yesterday) he was on his return from Capt Conway's, where he and other company went yesterday. 8, A frozen mist early in morn, thick cloudy and misty till evening when it Rained briskly- mild. I have had a bad cold several days w'ch continues. I staid at home- J. Pendleton's aid last evening he intended going to Rosehill to day on invitation. 9, A very heavy rain last night, and high wind from South. Rained brisk early this morning, then cleared warm & windy. The rain last night washed my land more than they have been for some years. I hear there is a great swell in River. M. Atkins had 2 bushels shelled corn & sent to mill- he has now had the 6 barrels I agreed to find him. M. Atkins went to J. McNeils but cou'd get no work done. I walked in evening to J. Taylor's. J. Pendleton & family, Maj'r Moore, T. Crutchfield & wife & Nancy Smith there. Capt J. Barbour was at the office. 10, [SUNDAY], Turned cold last night, hard frost, clear and cold. I went to J. Taylor's to dinner. J. Pendleton & family, J. Taylor jr & wife, T. Crutchfield & do R'd Noel & wife, Nancy Smith & G.C. Taylor there. 11, Clear, sharp frost. Temperate and not very cold. M. Atkins went again to McNeils shop, says J. McNeil promised to have my plows by wednesday. J. Pendleton came here in evening & got some quills. 12, Fair,wind and mild. Sent a Midling Bacon 10¼ to WaStewart for George. John Taylor called here & said a Waggon was bringing me a Bar'l Tar & Frying pan & Articles for Maj'r J. Taylor & himself. I went to J. Taylor's in evening & staid to supper. J. Pendleton & family, Tho' Jenkins, Rob't Moore, Salley & Betsy Taylor, N. Smith &c there.

1799, February, 13, Clear mild morning, Change hazy windy fair day evening. John Taylor came here to breakfast. A Negro Waggoner (John Hites) brought me a Bar'l Tar & Frying pan I paid him for carriage 3/- brought also & left here Sundry things for Maj'r James Taylor, who came and carried them away in my Cart- I paid the Waggoner 10/6 which J. Taylor jr repaid for bringing up his things- The Waggon had thing for John Taylor which he carried to his mother's. Reuben Taylor came here from J. Taylor's after they were gone. I paid & settled with him for the Articles he bought for me at Fredericksburg $3.18.6 & 4/6 for 2¾ lb Steel I had of his at James McNeils Shop. $4.3.0- He went away before dinner. Took out 3d Hhd Corn from New Corn House- 2 Hhds was taken out the 8th for M. Atkins. Malachi Atkins sent Cate & got a quart Whisky. About 2 o'clock(afternoon) the Dwelling house of Ch's Taylor was discovered to be on fire on the roof, it being very dry and a strong South wind prevented any chance of putting out the fire so that the house was totally burned- C. Taylor & family were at J. Taylor's- My Overseer & 4 Negroes with sundry others assisted to get out the greatest part of the Beds, Cloathing &c which were preserved- C. Taylor came here & got my Cart to bring part of his furniture &c which w'th some of G.C. Taylor's was received in my house- C. Taylor went to J. Taylor's- G.C. Taylor came & staid with me. 14, Clear windy mild morn. Clouds afternoon. C. Taylor came here & breakfasted-with G.C. Taylor & self. Said his Carriage wou'd go with Miss M. Conway & some of his youngest daughters to Capt Conway's- he went home & G.C. Taylor to J. Taylor's before noon- Sundry other articles of C. Taylor's was brought here & stored, Betsy Taylor came and got sundry things she wanted. Pat carried away some & she others- Betsy dined here and went to J. Taylor's. Malachi Atkins went to J. McNeils & got 3 plow shares. 15, Fair and mild, windy. C. Taylor came here at night, went after breakfast to J. Taylor's- C. Taylor had been home & walked here before noon, said Capt Conway was at J. Taylor's. I walked there with him about noon- Capt Conway, Maj'r Moore, *Thos Jenkins- C. Taylor, his wife, Salley & Betsy Taylor, J. Pendleton & family & J. Taylor jr & do there. G.C. Taylor came home with me. Had a plant bed burned on branch below Overseer's house & the 16th gave M. Atkins Cabbage, Lettuce, Onion seeds & Turnep, to sow. [*Thomas Jenkins married Elizabeth-*Betsy*-Taylor, dau. of Dr. Charles. Sally, her sister, married William Milburn.-WKA] 16, Saturday, Some thin clouds-Sunshine & hazy. G.C. Taylor went to J. Taylor's after breakfast, C. Taylor called here,said he intended to go to Wm. Gibson's to try to engage him to build a house- his wife went from J. Taylor's to Capt.Conway's where he expected to be to-night. Salley & Betsy Taylor, Nancy Crutchfield & Caty Pendleton walked here before noon, the two for her to get some of their things- they returned to J. Taylor's to dinner. I dined alone. 17, [SUNDAY] A snow fell last night & early this morning, about 3 inches deep. Cleared up mild- part of snow thawed. J. Taylor, John Pendleton, G.C. Taylor & the boys came from J. Taylor's. Mr. T. Barbour from home (going to Richmond) J. Taylor jr & Tho's Crutchfield from Stevensburg (where they went yesterday) the above dined here, all went away but G.C. Taylor. 18, Fair & mild- half of the snow dissolved. G.C. Taylor was puking a very sick last night, got better in evening. Bailey & Betsy Taylor rode here- I let them have Linen to make me 3 shirts- C. Taylor also came from Capt. Conways- Shaved & went to see about getting plank toward building- G.C. Taylor staid, the other went away before dinner. 19, Thin clouds,moderate. After breakfast G.C. Taylor went to J. Taylor's & returned after supper- C. Taylor came here in the evening. Heard that John Taylor's child died two days ago, it had been sick since last Fall.